'Disappointing': Lack of focus on net zero in government's 12 'levelling up' missions

Focus on health commended

On Wednesday (2 February), the embattled UK Government published a whitepaper outlining 12 missions aimed at ‘levelling up’ the country – but there were no direct references to the country’s net zero and sustainability ambitions within those missions, some organisations have outlined.

Although the government proposals have been commended for their focus on healthy life expectancy, income and housing boosts, the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF) noted the lack of specific mention of its net zero goals in the 12 levelling up missions. James Alexander, UKSIF chief executive, said: "We are hugely disappointed to see the UK's net zero and sustainability ambitions overlooked in the white paper with no references made within any of the 12 ‘Levelling-Up Missions.'"  Alexander argued that the links between the UK's 2050 net zero objective and levelli...